Senate Set for Work on Farm Bill

On July 27, the House passed, H.R. 2419, the 2007 Farm Bill, which reauthorized various agricultural programs through 2012. After voting on multiple amendments, the House passed the bill by a vote of 231-191. Republicans failed to pass a motion to recommit the bill back to the House Agriculture Committee, which would have sent the legislation back to the beginning of the legislative process. Instead, Democratic leaders were able to keep their rank and file members in line, passing the bill and taking the first major step towards reauthorizing the nation’s agricultural programs.

The nutrition title of the bill authorizes $70 million for expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) into 35 schools in each state. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would then distribute additional funds, as necessary, to states based on population. The original proposal called for 50 schools in every state to receive funds, but the $100 million was contingent on offsets. The new language guarantees the $70 million, but calls for a scaled back expansion.

Currently, the FFVP operates in 14 states (Utah, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Washington, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania) and on 3 Indian Tribal Organizations (Pine Ridge in South Dakota, Zuni in New Mexico and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona). A total of 375 schools currently participate.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) offered an amendment that requests that food, available under the school breakfast and lunch programs, be of maximum nutritional value as a means to reduce juvenile obesity. The amendment passed by an overwhelming majority of 422-3. While the House has finished their work, the Senate has not begun work on their Farm Bill.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is aiming to mark up the committee’s own version of the farm bill during the third week of September. Committee aides have circulated private “discussion drafts” of every title except for the commodities element of the bill, which contains income support programs for grain, corn, cotton and other crops. Staffers have been meeting to discuss the discussion draft proposals and to offer feedback during the August recess.

Sen. Harkin plans to release a complete proposal shortly after the Senate returns next week. Although he has not mentioned specifics, Sen. Harkin has said he plans to use the farm bill as an opportunity to promote healthy living by investing in the fresh fruit and vegetable program, increasing access to locally grown foods and encouraging child nutrition.

Resources:
Beth Crowley, “Senate Farm Bill Likely to Be Marked Up in Third Week of September,” Congress Now, August 17, 2007.
Author: SAS